A cross sectional study of growth of children with sickle cell disease, aged 2 to 5 years in Yaoundé, Cameroon

• Published in: The Pan African medical journal Vol. 34; no. 85; p. 85
• Main Authors: Ngo Um, Suzanne Sap, Seungue, Judith, Alima, Anastasie Yanda, Mbono, Ritha, Mbassi, Hubert, Chelo, David, Koki, Paul Olivier
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Uganda African Field Epidemiology Network 2019; The African Field Epidemiology Network; The Pan African Medical Journal
• Subjects: Age; Anemia, Sickle Cell - complications; Anemia, Sickle Cell - physiopathology; Anthropometry; Body Height - physiology; Body Mass Index; Body Weight - physiology; Cameroon; Cellulose acetate; Child development; Child, Preschool; Chronic illnesses; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; growth; Growth Disorders - epidemiology; Growth Disorders - etiology; Hematology; Hemoglobin; Human growth; Humans; Male; Morbidity; Pediatrics; Severity of Illness Index; Sickle cell disease; sub-saharan africa; who norms; Cameroon; sub-Saharan Africa; WHO norms; growth; Sickle cell disease
• ISSN: 1937-8688; 1937-8688
• DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2019.34.85.16432

Growth of children affected by Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is not well described in sub-Saharan Africa despite the high prevalence of the disease. Few data are available in this context and on the issue using the World Health Organization growth norms. We therefore conduct the present study with the aim of describing the growth of affected children aged less than 5 years. We also assessed correlation of anthropometric parameters with disease severity criteria.
A cross-sectional study was conducted during a period of 8 months, at the Mother and Child Center of Yaoundé. The sample included 77 children with SCD aged 2 to 5 years old in steady state. Anthropometric measurements and socio-demographic data were collected and analyzed. All statistical tests were two-tailed with p<0.05 considered significant.
Median age of study population was 3.67 years. Low weight, height and weight for height Z-scores (<-2SD) were observed in 4%, 4%, and 5% of children, respectively. Projection of these parameters were stackable on WHO curves. Regression analysis indicated an association of low height-for-age and of low Body Mass Index (BMI)-for-age with age.
This study demonstrates unexpectedly lower mean Z-score for weight, height and weight for height than reported while using WHO norms.